USE OF PASSIVE VOICE

The passive voice in English is used to

give emphasis to what was done, instead

of giving emphasis to the person who

did something.

GENERAL RULESThe passive voice is formed using the verb to be + the main verb participle

(past participle)

ACTIVE TO PASSIVE

The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of passive.

The main verb is replaced by the auxiliary verb “to be” and the main verb in Participle.

The subject of the main clause becomes the passive agent complement.

The subject performs the action is introduced by the preposition by.

EXAMPLES FOR DIFFERENT TENSES

VERB TENSE ACTIVE PASIVE

PRESENT SIMPLE I write a letter The letter is written

PAST SIMPLE I wrote a letter The letter was written

PRESENT PERFECT I've written a letter The letter has been written

PAST PERFECT I had written a letter The letter had been written

FUTURE (WILL) I will write a letter The letter will be written

FUTURE (GOING TO) I'm going to write a letter The letter is going to be written

MODAL (MUST) I must write a letter The letter must be written

MODAL (CAN) I must write a letter The letter must be written

MODAL (SHOULD) I should write a letter The letter should be written

EXAMPLESA C T I V E

We receive the newspaper everyday.

The children have eaten the cookies.

The students will give a presentation

tomorrow.

They make many movies in Hollywood.

Someone has stolen my bike!

PA S I V E

The newspaper is received everyday.

The cookies have been eaten by the children.

A presenation will be given tomorrow by the

students.

Many movies are made in Hollywood.

My bike has been stolen!